In contemporary Indian politics, there is a discernible trend indicating a tilt of governmental thrust towards the executive, particularly the Prime Minister's Office and the Cabinet. While India operates under a parliamentary system designed for a balance of power and executive accountability to the legislature, several factors have contributed to this executive dominance.

Arguments for Executive Dominance:

1. Strong Party Majorities and Centralized Leadership: When a single party or a stable coalition secures a clear majority in Parliament, the executive (led by the Prime Minister) gains immense power. The Prime Minister, as the leader of the majority party, often becomes the focal point of power, overshadowing other ministers and even the party organization. This is particularly evident under charismatic leaders who command significant public mandate.
2. Anti-Defection Law: While intended to ensure political stability and prevent horse-trading, the Anti-Defection Law (Tenth Schedule) has inadvertently strengthened party leadership and, by extension, the executive. It restricts the ability of individual Members of Parliament (MPs) to vote against their party's whip, effectively reducing legislative dissent and independent scrutiny of executive actions.
3. Ordinance Raj: The executive's power to promulgate ordinances (Article 123) when Parliament is not in session is meant for exceptional circumstances. However, its frequent use, sometimes to bypass parliamentary debate or re-promulgate lapsed ordinances, indicates an executive preference for legislative action without full parliamentary scrutiny.
4. Delegated Legislation: Parliament often passes 'skeletal' laws, delegating significant rule-making powers to the executive. This allows the bureaucracy and ministers to frame detailed rules and regulations, effectively shifting legislative power to the executive domain.
5. Weakening of Parliamentary Scrutiny: There has been a noticeable decline in the number of parliamentary sittings, reduced time allocated for debates on crucial bills, and frequent disruptions. Bills are often passed with minimal discussion, and the practice of referring bills to parliamentary committees for detailed scrutiny has also seen a decline, thereby weakening the legislature's oversight function.
6. Role of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO): The PMO has evolved into a powerful coordinating and decision-making body, often centralizing authority and influencing policy across various ministries. This concentration of power within the PMO further reinforces executive dominance.
7. Media Focus: Modern media, especially electronic and social media, tends to focus heavily on the Prime Minister and a few key ministers, amplifying their voices and decisions while often giving less attention to parliamentary proceedings or the collective functioning of the Cabinet.
8. Bureaucratic Influence: The permanent executive (bureaucracy) plays a crucial role in policy formulation and implementation. Their expertise and institutional memory often give them significant influence over the political executive, further consolidating executive power.

Counter-arguments/Checks (though often limited):

• Judicial Review: The judiciary, through its power of judicial review, can strike down executive actions or laws that violate the Constitution, acting as a crucial check.
• Vibrant Opposition: A strong and vigilant opposition, even if numerically weak, can still raise issues, demand accountability, and influence public opinion.
• Civil Society and Media: Independent media and civil society organizations play a vital role in scrutinizing government actions and advocating for public interest.

In conclusion, while constitutional checks and balances exist, contemporary Indian politics, particularly with the advent of stable majorities, has witnessed a significant tilt towards executive dominance. This trend, driven by strong leadership, party discipline, and procedural shifts, poses challenges to the traditional parliamentary model of shared power and robust legislative oversight.